Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - 4 day tour

The Classic Inca Trail is the most popular walking route in Latin America. The Incas built a very extensive network of almost 40,000 kilometers of hiking trails, to the far reaches of the vast empire, which stretched from Quito in Ecuador to Santiago in Chile and Mendoza in Argentina. During this 4 day tour we will hike over what probably was the most important route of the Inca Civilization. An truly, unforgettable experience.

Cuzco was built or improved by the Incas. Part of this network (43 kilometers) leads past important archaeological sites of the Incas, including Runcuracay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, Wiñay Wayna and the world famous Machu Picchu. The route presents a varied difficulty with different roads and slopes. It is a very good and unmissable option for adventurers. On the tour, you can see very beautiful landscapes and diverse micro-climates which guarantee a lifetime experience.

Itinerary

Day 1: Cuzco – Huayllabamba

Stop At: Huayllabamba 08670, Peru
We will pick you up at 5 a.m. from your hostel by bus. We will drive to a place called Oyantaitambo to have breakfast, where after we head towards Chilca, also known as km. 82 (2650 masl); the starting point of our hike. Here we will also gather our trekking gear. On this day, we will observe the archaeological complex of Patallaqta, dry forests and the archaeological site of Willkaracay among others. We will be ending our walk in the community of Huayllabamba, our first campsite at an altitude of 3100 masl.
Total walking distance: 13 km
Total walking duration: 5-7 hours, depending on our pace.
Duration: 8 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 2: Huayllabamba – Pacaymayu

Pass By: Dead Woman, 08680, Peru
After breakfast, we will start to climb; this is one of the most difficult days of the Inca Trail. We will have to walk uphill to the open Warmiwañuska at 4250 masl. But before arriving there, during the ascent, we will enjoy our lunch to get some more energy. Once at the top, we can set eyes on the imposing peaks of the Vilcanota mountain range. Afterwards, we will descend to the second camp of Pacaymayu at 3600 masl where we will have our dinner and where we will enjoy our well-deserved rest.
Total walking distance: 16 km
Total walking duration: +7 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 3: Pacaymayu – Wiñaywayna

Pass By: Sayacmarca, Machu Picchu Peru
This is the longest day of the Inca Trail, but perhaps the most beautiful route. We will observe the different ecological levels of the highlands of the place, the cloud forests and rain forests as well as tourist sites like Runkurakay at 3,760 masl, where we reach after an ascending hike of about 30 minutes. We will continue up to the pass at 3,900 masl, where we will have a short rest and then descend to the archaeological site of Sayacmarca (3,625 masl). Then, we will head to Phuyupatamarka (3,600 masl), a place for us to take some pictures of the mountains and rest for a while. Continuing on the stairs, we will take a path that leads down to our last camp named Wiñaywayna at 2,650 masl.
Total walking distance: 11 km
Total walking duration: +8 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 4: Wiñaywayna – Machu Picchu

Stop At: Machu Picchu, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Cusco Region
Early in the morning, at 3 a.m., we will have our breakfast. Then, we are going to pass the control/check point of Wiñaywayna where we have to show our entrance ticket for Machu Picchu. After this, we will walk for 30 minutes to the “Puerta del Sol”, better known as “Inti Punku” (2,720 masl), to get our first glance of Machu Picchu! After leaving our backpacks (for 5 dollars), we will have free time with beautiful sights on the Machu Picchu ruins. After the free time, due to new regulations, we are only allowed to enter Machu Picchu itself for a maximum duration of two hours. During this time, it is possible to take a guided tour. After those two hours, we will take the bus to go down to the town of Aguas Calientes, where we will enjoy our lunch. Afterwards, we take the train to Ollantaytambo and we finally arrive by bus in Cuzco in the evening.
Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.